The currently accepted nomenclature and taxonomy of Giraffe places the nine different types into subspecies categories (Dagg 2014). Some authorities have suggested that Masai Giraffe should be elevated into a species (Groves and Grubb 2011, Fennessy et al. 2016). Phylogenetic and taxonomic studies are ongoing.

Masai Giraffe is listed as Endangered under criterion A2abd due to an estimated decline of 49-51% over three generations (30 years). These estimates are based on a time-series of systematic reconnaissance flight (SRF) data that commenced in the late 1970s (ca 38 years) in Kenya and the mid-1980s in Tanzania (ca 30 years). Combined estimates for Kenya and Tanzania at the beginning of these time series are 69,000-71,000 and for the most recent estimates 35,000. Probable causes of the decline are habitat loss and illegal hunting.

Masai Giraffe is widely distributed in central and northern Tanzania, and southern Kenya. Additionally, it is an extralimital introduction into Akagera National Park, Rwanda. In Kenya the largest populations are in Kajiado district, the Mara ranches, Tsavo N.P., Laikipia and Tana River districts (East 1999). In Tanzania its former range covered most of the country north of the Rufiji River, though it has disappeared from extensive areas of central and coastal Tanzania (East 1999). Six animals from Kenya were introduced into Akagera N.P. in 1986 (East 1999).

East (1999) estimated there were roughly 29,000 Masai Giraffes in Tanzania and 17,000 in Kenya with the majority in Kenya residing outside protected areas and the majority in Tanzania inside PAs. East (1999) characterized the status of Masai Giraffes as widespread and locally common within and outside protected areas in parts of their historical range, though some major protected populations of the Masai Giraffe had decreased during the 1990s in national parks such as Serengeti (Tanzania) and Tsavo (Kenya). At that time, large, stable populations of this subspecies still occurred in other protected areas such as Moyowosi, Kigosi, Tarangire, Katavi-Rukwa, Ruaha and Selous (Tanzania).

Data show that Masai Giraffe declines have been dramatic in most regions of Kenya in recent decades. Most data are from aerial sample counts from the Department of Resource Surveys and Remote Sensing of Kenya (DRSRS). Time periods covered were 1977 to 2015 (2014 for Taita Taveta, Tana River, Kajiado and Narok, 2015 for Kitui and Machakos/Makueni, and 2013 for Kilifi and Kwale). Data from Nakuru Wildlife Conservancy are bi-annual ground counts, conducted in all units of the conservancy by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the conservancy members from 1996 to 2015 (Ogutu et al. 2017). Details are provided in Appendix 1. All told, Masai Giraffe numbers in Kenya declined from approximately 32,000 to 12,000, a 63% reduction, in approximately 38 years, a reduction of nearly two-thirds since 1977 (Table 1 in Appendix 1).

Recently KWS and TAWIRI conducted a series of Systematic Reconnaissance Flight (SRF) surveys in the Kenya-Tanzania border areas (KWS-TAWIRI, undated, Okello et al. 2015). Counts were conducted in the wet and dry seasons of 2010 and 2013 counted Masai Giraffes in the Amboseli and Magadi/Namanga regions in southern Kenya. They estimated 2,063 Masai Giraffes in Amboseli and surrounding group ranches and 670 in Magadi/Namanga (estimates averaged across seasons and years). Estimates increased between 2010 and 2013 and this was interpreted as population recovery following the severe drought of 2007-2009 (Okello et al. 2015).

The Great Elephant Census conducted SRF surveys in the Amboseli and Tsavo ecosystems in 2015. Their estimates were 2,350 individuals for Amboseli, similar to the KWS-TAWIRI estimates, and 7,970 for Tsavo. There is no comparison for Tsavo as the Kenya DRSRS surveys are organized by county not by protected areas.

For Tanzania, data were acquired from TAWIRI’s systematic reconnaissance flights (1986-2016) in nine regions of Tanzania that encompass large protected areas – including national parks and game reserves (see map in Fig. 12, Appendix 1). These data, up to year 2001, were analyzed in Stoner et al. (2006, 2007). Analyses of the 1986-2016 data suggest that over this period Masai Giraffe populations experienced statistically significant declines in the Katavi and Ruaha-Rungwa regions (Table 2, Fig. 13 in Appendix 1). The decline in Katavi was already reported by by Stoner et al. (2006) using different statistical methods. But the Ruaha trend has only become apparent later, Stoner et al. (2006) classified it as stable based on data up to 2000.

Comparing population estimates from early in the time series to more recent years demonstrates substantial declines have occurred in several regions (Tables 2 and 3 in Appendix 1). Overall they suggest that in the 30 years between 1986 and 2016 Masai Giraffe numbers in these nine areas in Tanzania have declined by 37-43% from approximately 37,000-39,000 to 23,000.

The estimated decline for Tanzania and Kenya combined is 49% to 51% (details in Appendix 1 - see the Supporting Information).

Masai Giraffes are obligate browsers that occur in areas of Vachellia (Acacia) savanna in southern Kenya and North and Central Tanzania. Although associated with Vachellia (Acacia), Masai Giraffes take a wide variety of browse, generally taking common browse species in proportion to their abundance in the environment (Pellew 1984).

The most important contemporary threats to the Masai Giraffe are illegal hunting and land use change. Masai Giraffes are poached for meat and products such as hide, bones and tail hairs. Hunting methods include the use of dogs, guns and snares (Caro 2008, Strauss et al. 2015). In Serengeti National Park, wire snares hung in the tree canopy appear to target adult Giraffes (Strauss et al. 2015). Although a single Giraffe can provide a large quantity of meat, it is not clear that Giraffe is a preferred bushmeat (e.g. Strauss et al. 2015). Giraffe bone marrow and brains have become desirable items in some areas due to the mistaken belief that these body parts can cure HIV/AIDS (Arusha Times 2004, Nkwame 2008). Giraffe tail-hair bracelets and other products are available in souvenir shops.

Poaching played a role in the decline in Masai Giraffe numbers in Serengeti National Park between the 1970s and 2000s (Strauss et al. 2015) and probably contributed to the coincidental Giraffe population decline in the adjacent Masai Mara National Reserve and neighboring ranches (Ogutu et al. 2009, 2011). In Serengeti National Park, annual Giraffe illegal hunting is estimated at 2–10% of the population (Rentsch et al. 2015). Illegal hunting of Masai Giraffes appears to be also widespread in the Katavi-Rukwa ecosystem (Caro 2008), the Monduli area (Arusha Times 2009) and the West Kilimanjaro corridor (Nkwame 2008). Further study of illegal hunting, human consumption preferences and the market for Giraffe products is essential in predicting long-term impacts on the Masai Giraffe.

Extensive land use change has occurred across some parts of the Masai Giraffe range, particularly in Kenya, including Kajiado and Narok Counties  (Said et al. 2016,; Ogutu et al. 2011, 2014; Reid et al. 2008; Lamprey and Reid 2004).

Subject to poaching for meat, hides and other products.

Under the Kenyan Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (2013) (Chapter 376) Giraffes are accorded full protection and all hunting of Masai Giraffe is prohibited. (Part X, sections 83-85).

While it is widely known that Giraffes are Tanzania's national animal, there is no direct mention of Giraffes in the constitution. However, as the national animal, Giraffes are protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act No. 5 of 2009. The act prohibits hunting, killing, capturing, wounding Giraffes with punishment including fines and imprisonment.